Editing First Great Western Link (section)

==History==
In April 2003 the [[Strategic Rail Authority]] invited [[FirstGroup]] and [[Go-Ahead Group|Go-Ahead]] to bid for a two-year extension to the Thames franchise that would coincide with the end date of the [[First Great Western]] franchise, after which both would become part of the [[Greater Western franchise]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180921225924/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/go-ahead-facing-thames-tussle-7280512.html Go-Ahead facing Thames tussle] ''[[Evening Standard]]'' 10 April 2003</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= SRA invites First Group to bid for Thames extension |magazine= [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=460 |date= 30 April 2003|page=11}}</ref> In November 2003 the Strategic Rail Authority awarded the new franchise to First with the services operated by [[Thames Trains]] transferring to FGWL on 1 April 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/20031104_preferred_bidder_announced_for_thames_franchise.tt2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031202235927/http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/20031104_preferred_bidder_announced_for_thames_franchise.tt2 |archive-date=2 December 2003 |title=Preferred Bidder Announced for New Thames Trains Franchise |publisher=Sra.gov.uk |date=2 December 2003 |access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Go-Ahead loses Thames Trains as SRA hands franchise to First |magazine= [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=474 |date= 12 November 2003|page=26}}</ref>

On 12 June 2005 [[Heathrow Connect]] was introduced as a joint venture between FGWL and [[Heathrow Airport Holdings|BAA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alwaystouchout.com/project/67 |title=Heathrow Connect |date=12 June 2005 |work=Always Touch Out |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807224122/http://www.alwaystouchout.com/project/67 |archive-date=7 August 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Take off! New Heathrow Connect targets airport staff |magazine= [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=516 |date= 22 June 2005|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Heathrow Connect service begins |magazine= [[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1252 |date=   August 2005|page=76}}</ref> BAA supplied the [[British Rail Class 360|Class 360]] rolling stock and on-board staff. FGWL received the revenue for journeys between Paddington and [[Hayes & Harlington railway station|Hayes & Harlington]], and BAA the revenue for journeys between Hayes & Harlington and [[Heathrow Central railway station|Heathrow Airport]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190624163616/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/heathrow-connect-close-to-takeoff.html Heathrow Connect close to takeoff] ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' 1 June 2004</ref>